Michigan State Basketball: Evaluating Spartans heading into 2021 NCAA Tournament
By Ryan Kay
What are the expectations for the Spartans?
Those watching the Spartans in the NCAA Tournament should expect them to lose to Texas in the round of 32. They should defeat UCLA in the 1st round and be able to defeat BYU in a close game to advance to play the Longhorns. However, Michigan State has made it to the Sweet Sixteen only once since 2015. So besides their magical run in 2019, recent history suggests that nothing is a given especially as we are still in the midst of a pandemic.
Can the Spartans beat Texas to advance to the Sweet Sixteen? Sure, but not likely. If Joshua Langford, Joey Hauser, and Rocket Watts are averaging double digits in the NCAA tournament, then we may be having a different conversation. Texas has done well with their 3-point shooting, which helps them against Michigan State’s pack-line man-to-man defense and a lot would have to go the Spartans way to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Most importantly, Texas has six seniors and four juniors on their team and is experienced. Michigan State will miss the leadership of Winston and Tillman in this tournament. The Spartans can win but it will not be easy and they first must defeat UCLA and BYU before they face the Longhorns.
What could be the reasons why Michigan State goes to the Sweet Sixteen? Henry, juniors stepping up, and overall mental toughness which they have shown with wins over Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio State. Many members of this year’s team have been on previous Spartan teams that have won championships during the regular season these past few years.
The Spartans have come back multiple times from losses in Big Ten play and then went on to defeat top-ranked teams. They have played and won on the road and beat some good teams this season due to their pure determination to win and keep the NCAA tournament streak alive, and they have a leader in Henry who can navigate the team throughout the tournament.
Why should you root for this team to make a run in the NCAA tournament? If you watch the Spartans play throughout this season, you have seen a team look great and then look like a bottom-tier Big Ten team. However, they have shown heart and grit by winning games they were not favored to win.
They are not a cocky or a self-centered group, they play good team defense for the most part without any drama on the court, and they haven’t made many excuses or shy away from criticism. They arguably played in the best college basketball conference and found a way to keep the 2nd longest NCAA tournament streak alive.
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Hopefully, this will help you in how far you have Michigan State advancing in the NCAA Tournament. One thing is for sure, you can’t compare this team to the three previous Spartan teams who won Big Ten championships. This year’s team is not as talented as the three previous but they have so much more going for them that it would be very surprising if they lose to UCLA in the open round of the NCAA tournament.